'''''Hotels''''': For convenience, it is be best to stick with the properties on the ALA list, so here's my jaundiced perspective. Proximity to Convention Center: it goes like this, beginning with the closest:

'''''Hotels''''': For convenience, it is be best to stick with the properties on the ALA list, so here's my jaundiced perspective. Proximity to Convention Center: it goes like this, beginning with the closest:

*'''Grand Hyatt''' is just across the street from the Center, between the Sheraton and the Center. I was there for a speaker recently, and it was lovely.

*'''Grand Hyatt''' is just across the street from the Center, between the Sheraton and the Center. I was there for a speaker recently, and it was lovely.

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*'''Sheraton''' is only a block away from the convention center. I've booked a room at the Sheraton, because I'm told it has an enclosed rooftop pool and deck, of which I intend to take full advantage.

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*'''Sheraton''' is only a block away from the convention center.

*'''Paramount''' is the next closest. The convention map is wrong-the Paramount is sited at the number where they list the Roosevelt, and vice versa. It's probably newest, looks good. On the flat, very near cinemas and vertical malls.

*'''Paramount''' is the next closest. The convention map is wrong-the Paramount is sited at the number where they list the Roosevelt, and vice versa. It's probably newest, looks good. On the flat, very near cinemas and vertical malls.

*'''Sixth Ave Inn''' - not a great location, closest to the new jail/court and police precinct, near a lot of current construction as a quaint old 1950s-1970s business area is converted to high-rise condos and YuppieLand.

*'''Sixth Ave Inn''' - not a great location, closest to the new jail/court and police precinct, near a lot of current construction as a quaint old 1950s-1970s business area is converted to high-rise condos and YuppieLand.

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The one I'd avoid:

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*'''Days Inn''' - it's Spartan and surrounded by parking lots, somewhere between the missions and soup kitchens and the parks where the homeless hang out. It's also in the Bermuda Triangle of Buses (there aren't many), outside the free ride zone (not so bad, I suppose, because there aren't many to begin with), and a long trudge to anything but the Westin. It's quite close to the most recent former KCLS Service Center, and closer than any of the rest of the listings to Seattle Center. If you're fond of basketball (if the team is still in Seattle), you can enjoy the sights and sounds of gridlocked traffic when there are home games.

*'''Days Inn''' - it's Spartan and surrounded by parking lots, somewhere between the missions and soup kitchens and the parks where the homeless hang out. It's also in the Bermuda Triangle of Buses (there aren't many), outside the free ride zone (not so bad, I suppose, because there aren't many to begin with), and a long trudge to anything but the Westin. It's quite close to the most recent former KCLS Service Center, and closer than any of the rest of the listings to Seattle Center. If you're fond of basketball (if the team is still in Seattle), you can enjoy the sights and sounds of gridlocked traffic when there are home games.

[mailto:miverson@kcls.org Marsha Iverson]

[mailto:miverson@kcls.org Marsha Iverson]

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==Smoking In Seattle==

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Attention Smokers! Last year, Washington State [http://www.doh.wa.gov/tobacco/secondhand/secondhand.htm voters approved an expanded ban] on smoking in indoor public places and places of employement. The ban now includes all restaurants, bars, taverns, hotel lobbies, and areas around building entrances/exits/windows. In addition, many hotels have reduced or eliminated their smoking rooms. Be aware that if you requested a smoking room, your request may not be guaranteed and will likely be based on smoking room availability at time of check-in.

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== Hotels Near the University of Washington ==

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There are a number of events that are happening at the University of Washington before or during the conference. People who are only attending a preconference at the UW or those who are having difficulty extending their downtown hotel reservation to include preconference attendance might consider staying in the University District. Bus service between the U-District and downtown is quick (20 minutes) and frequent (every 10 minutes during the day). In addition, the first three hotels listed provide free shuttle service to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

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[http://www.hoteldeca.com Hotel Deca] (formerly the University Tower Hotel) is located 2 blocks from campus and is the hotel primarily used by UW visitors. Great views from the upper floors. 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE. (800) 899-0251

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[http://www.universityinnseattle.com University Inn] is located 5 blocks from campus and has a great breakfast cafe (Portage Bay Cafe). 4140 Roosevelt Way NE. (800) 733-3855

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[http://www.watertownseattle.com The Watertown] is also located 5 blocks from campus and is one block north of the University Inn. A little more expensive than the University Inn but newly built and with more comfort and amenities than the University Inn. 4242 Roosevelt Way NE. (866) 944-4242

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For the budget-minded, I would recommend [http://www.collegeinnseattle.com The College Inn]. Small, European-style hotel located only one block from campus. Bathrooms/showers are down the hall and because it's an older building, there is no elevator. 4000 University Way NE. (206) 633-4441

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In addition, the University District Chamber of Commerce maintains [http://www.udistrictchamber.org/resourcesHotels.cfm a list of hotels, motels and B&B's].

General Resources

Hello from Seattle!

Hotels: For convenience, it is be best to stick with the properties on the ALA list, so here's my jaundiced perspective. Proximity to Convention Center: it goes like this, beginning with the closest:

Grand Hyatt is just across the street from the Center, between the Sheraton and the Center. I was there for a speaker recently, and it was lovely.

Sheraton is only a block away from the convention center.

Paramount is the next closest. The convention map is wrong-the Paramount is sited at the number where they list the Roosevelt, and vice versa. It's probably newest, looks good. On the flat, very near cinemas and vertical malls.

Roosevelt -classic old facility refurbished. Closest to Nordstrom

Red Lion (I couldn't picture it in my mind-so I looked online. It used to be a bank HQ, is very well located for messing about downtown)

Summerfield Suites (Not where its dot is-it's actually on Pike St. just across the freeway, in the L-shaped notch in the NE corner of the Convention center on the ALA map, might be a bit more comfy as a suite, just outside the free downtown bus zone)

Hotel Max might be really amusing. It's new, fairly close, flat walk.

Lap of Luxury:

The Fairmont Olympic is the Grand Old Dame of Seattle Hotels, right between shopping and financial districts

Smaller, and interesting:

Mayflower Park - charming, historic, independent, well-sited for shopping, Pike Place Market, not far, in flat part of town-can get to and from without major hills.

Hotel Monaco - I don't know it well, but the chain looks interesting, and the lounge is comfy.

Others:

Westin -is in the Nexus of downtown traffic and busses, at the bottom of a few connecting minor ridges. Close to Nordstrom and Macy's, but farther away from the convention center and other HQ properties than most of the others.

Anything South of University is in the core of the financial/legal section. Perfectly fine part of town, not particularly interesting, uphill from Convention Center, in free bus zone.

W Seattle -- Though I loathe the name, it looks interesting, is reasonably well located, just across the street from Seattle Public's big downtown library, Spring is also hillish, especially between second and fourth. Close to Symphony (Benaroya Hall) and Art museum (probably closed).

Renaissance Madison - used to be something else, is at the highest point of the downtown hill, and Madison is one of the steepest downhill streets toward the water (one-way westbound on the west side of the freeway).

Crowne Plaza - Used to be something else too. Probably fine, very close to Renaissance Madison with same qualities.

Adequate:

Sixth Ave Inn - not a great location, closest to the new jail/court and police precinct, near a lot of current construction as a quaint old 1950s-1970s business area is converted to high-rise condos and YuppieLand.

Days Inn - it's Spartan and surrounded by parking lots, somewhere between the missions and soup kitchens and the parks where the homeless hang out. It's also in the Bermuda Triangle of Buses (there aren't many), outside the free ride zone (not so bad, I suppose, because there aren't many to begin with), and a long trudge to anything but the Westin. It's quite close to the most recent former KCLS Service Center, and closer than any of the rest of the listings to Seattle Center. If you're fond of basketball (if the team is still in Seattle), you can enjoy the sights and sounds of gridlocked traffic when there are home games.

Smoking In Seattle

Attention Smokers! Last year, Washington State voters approved an expanded ban on smoking in indoor public places and places of employement. The ban now includes all restaurants, bars, taverns, hotel lobbies, and areas around building entrances/exits/windows. In addition, many hotels have reduced or eliminated their smoking rooms. Be aware that if you requested a smoking room, your request may not be guaranteed and will likely be based on smoking room availability at time of check-in.

Hotels Near the University of Washington

There are a number of events that are happening at the University of Washington before or during the conference. People who are only attending a preconference at the UW or those who are having difficulty extending their downtown hotel reservation to include preconference attendance might consider staying in the University District. Bus service between the U-District and downtown is quick (20 minutes) and frequent (every 10 minutes during the day). In addition, the first three hotels listed provide free shuttle service to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

Hotel Deca (formerly the University Tower Hotel) is located 2 blocks from campus and is the hotel primarily used by UW visitors. Great views from the upper floors. 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE. (800) 899-0251

University Inn is located 5 blocks from campus and has a great breakfast cafe (Portage Bay Cafe). 4140 Roosevelt Way NE. (800) 733-3855

The Watertown is also located 5 blocks from campus and is one block north of the University Inn. A little more expensive than the University Inn but newly built and with more comfort and amenities than the University Inn. 4242 Roosevelt Way NE. (866) 944-4242

For the budget-minded, I would recommend The College Inn. Small, European-style hotel located only one block from campus. Bathrooms/showers are down the hall and because it's an older building, there is no elevator. 4000 University Way NE. (206) 633-4441